Today I was at the "open field" for the PSA trial that is this weekend. One of the decoys is someone I have met before and comes highly recommended so I asked him if he would try the car jacking with Riggs.

The car jacking senario is done in the trial with a hidden sleeve and a jug of rocks or a gun (depending on the level you are in) for distraction. We had a regular Schutzhund sleeve next to the truck in case we needed it to show him that he could bite from the car. In the trial the dog is on the passenger side, but I kept Riggs on the driver's side so he would work "over" me. I wanted more control and to be in reach of him for encouragement and to get him going if necessary.

It wasn't necessary.

The decoy approached the car and began civil work. Riggs lit right up, barking and pulling to get out the window. This time I didn't get nipped because I didn't distract him from the decoy like I did at the DSO. At one point he lunged, and since my hands didn't move from my belt, the leash didn't move so his butt went half way out the window and he ended up with his body half in and half out of the car. I grabbed his tail at the base and pulled him back in. Normally he hates it when I grab his tail, but this time he didn't even notice.

When the decoy swung his arm in for the bite Riggs grabbed on with no hesitation. Full mouth grip on contact with no munging or re-grip. They "fought" and then I outed him (with some assistance from the collar, but we're working on that).

We did it a second time and this time we were unable to get Riggs to bark. The decoy worked very hard, but we just weren't getting any noise. He did get the clatter stick too close to the window and Riggs tried to take it from him. He finally made a little squeeky bark and got the bite and piled in harder this time.

He did GREAT. He amazes me every time I challenge him. He tries very hard to figure out what I want, but at the same time, he challenges me to be clear with what I want and to guide him. Let's just say he's good at pointing out handler error!!

The only "problem" is my legs and hands are a mess from his feet and nails. Oh well, small price to pay!

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

That was one of the main problems that I had with Weda. She was totally into Sch., except that she completely understood it was a game, so she made no sounds!

Then she needs to learn that barking is part of the game! No barks, no bite...Chris Fraize told me about a really cool way to teach the bark and hold to dogs that don't like to bark...

I've not been able to find any methods for getting a non-vocal dog to be more vocal in Sch Training. She's very vocal in other situations, but just not in Sch.

...and here it is. The dog needs to know the "speak" command first. When it knows that, you can (don't laugh!) have the helper give the speak command and reward with food while in the blind. Then the dog gets a sleeve bite. Pretty soon the dog will offer the barks to get the bite. Most Schutzhund trainers will tell you that you're off your rocker but I think that's because it's an "outside the box" method. The main thing Chris mentioned was the criticism that this method doesn't have any real aggression (in the context of bitework), but that can be added later. You'd need to contact him for more details.

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg